National Fraud Initiative

The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) in Scotland is a counter-fraud exercise led by us, and overseen by the Cabinet Office for the UK as a whole. It uses computerised techniques to compare information about individuals held by different public bodies, and on different financial systems that might suggest the existence of fraud or error.

It means that public bodies can take action if any fraud or error has taken place, and it allows auditors to assess fraud prevention arrangements which those bodies have.

Contact details

The NFI in Scotland is overseen by Audit Scotland. Our phone number for all NFI enquiries is: 0131 625 1500.

Bodies participating in NFI in Scotland should note that they can update their contact details via the 2016/17 NFI secure website or by sending an email to nfiqueries@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Information for 2016/17

The National Fraud Initiative in Scotland 2016/17 - Instructions for participants

Published July 2016

The 2016/17 instructions include important guidance and instructions for participating bodies including data requirements, data specifications and the 2016/17 timetable. It will be regularly updated throughout the exercise.

The National Fraud Initiative in Scotland 2012/13 - Instructions for participants

Published September 2012

The 2012/13 instructions include important guidance and instructions for participating bodies including data requirements, data specifications and the 2012/13 timetable. It will be regularly updated throughout the exercise.

The National Fraud Initiative in Scotland 2008/09

Published 20 May 2010

A further £21 million of outcomes have been identified following Audit Scotland's third biennial national fraud detection exercise. The exercise involves Audit Scotland working with a range of public bodies in Scotland and the Audit Commission in England, (who match the data for the exercise on our behalf).